North Judson Town Board Rejects Trash Bids

North Judson Town Board

The North Judson Town Board decided to reject all trash bids they received for the 2012 contract proposal and will rebid the contract.

Attorney Cassie Hine told the Board that financial statements, equipment lists, and a notice of general liability insurance of at least $3 million were not included in the two bids that were received. The bidding process will be re-advertised with a clarification of what paperwork will need to be completed in the complete bid packet. The bid deadline will be at Noon CT on Monday, February 6th.

Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses Teacher Evaluations

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed teacher evaluation requirements at their meeting this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that evaluations are necessary due to state law and those evaluations will determine merit pay for the teachers. The components that will be required are still being determined.

Kelly Manning from 21st Century Scholars and Senator Ed Charbonneau recognized Suzie Matzat during the Board meeting. She has been instrumental in keeping the program alive in the Middle School where she was the Guidance Counselor for many years and in the High School where she maintains that position. She was given a plaque as a result of her positive promotion in getting the word out about the program where students can earn free tuition to an Indiana College or University if they sign a contract and remain drug and alcohol free throughout their school career.

Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Selected

Henry Schricker

The Henry F. Schricker Award winner has been selected. Debbie Mix, the Executive Director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, said the name will not be released at this time, but the choice was difficult this year.

“It was a very difficult choice this year because anyone to has ever been nominated is still a nominee and we had several more this year and it was a difficult choice. I’m very excited for who is going to get this award,” said Mix.

The award dinner will be held January 19th at Bass Lake.

Continue reading

Christine Barger to Perform in Fort Wayne

Christine Barger

Ventriloquist/Comedian Christine Barger will be performing at the Snickerz Comedy Club in Ft. Wayne tonight and tomorrow.

Christine is a graduate of North Judson-San Pierre High School and she studied theatre at Ball State. After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career.

She planned to be back in the area over the holidays and her agent booked her into the Ft. Wayne venue. She said that she’s been trying to do a lot more with ventriloquism in the L.A. area.

Continue reading

Knox CVS Robbed

Knox CVS

The identity of a suspect arrested in connection with the robbery at CVS in Knox last night is still being withheld by Knox City Police.

Knox City Police responded to an armed robbery call at CVS at 9:18 p.m. An officer saw a vehicle leaving the scene at a high rate of speed and a traffic stop was initiated. The driver stopped, then backed into the police cruiser in an attempt to disable the vehicle. A pursuit began which lead into Marshall County. Both suspects abandoned the vehicle on Upas Road in Marshall County and one suspect was arrested. No further information was released by the Knox City Police Department and the robbery remains under investigation.

Continue reading

Accident Victim Dies of Injuries

A Knox man who was injured in an early morning accident on Monday, December 5th has died. 43-year-old Thomas Guy passed away on Friday, December 16th in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Starke County Police responded to a single vehicle accident on December 5th at 4570 South and 100 East. Guy reportedly was traveling on County Road 100 East when he came over a hill and lost control of his vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking a tree. Guy was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained the accident. He died of those injuries on Friday.

Starke County Commissioners Hears Zoning Issue

Starke County Commissioners: Kathy Norem, Dan Bridegroom and Jennifer Davis

Betty Dotlich, of rural Grovertown, appeared before the Starke County Commissioners again this week seeking information and assistance in halting the use of a structure she claims is improperly zoned. Dotlich has sought help several time in having a home owned by Julia Povalitis properly zoned, saying she doesn’t believe it meets minimum residential standards. Dotlich said it appears that it is still being used for housing.

Continue reading

Star City Man Arrested for Manufacturing Meth

Matthew Nolte

Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Star City man, Thursday, on manufacturing methamphetamine charges.

Police had received a call of possible drug activity at a Star City residence on State Road 119. When police arrived, they asked Matthew Nolte if they could search the residence. He reportedly agreed and police found a large trash bag on the property with two-liter bottles with an off-white substance. Officers determined that with the consistency of the substance and the odor emitting from the container, it was meth. Police also reportedly found several precursors that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Continue reading

North Judson Clerk-Treasurer, Board Member Recognized for Years of Service

Incoming Board member Tim Cummins, incoming Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry, Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller and Board members Jane Ellen Felchuk, Dan Anderson and Wendy Hoppe

North Judson Town Clerk-Treasurer Connie Miller and Town Board President Dan Anderson said thank you to the community Monday night as they were recognized for their efforts as elected officials. They also welcomed Donna Henry and Tim Cummins who will taking over as Clerk-Treasurer and Town Board member January 2nd, 2012.

Continue reading

Indianapolis Man Arrested in Pulaski County on OVWI, Drug Charges

Christopher Standefer

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested an Indianapolis man on Sunday on drug charges.

Police conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 35 south of County Road 200 North and found 35-year-old Christopher Standefer to be impaired. He failed a Field Sobriety Test and in the search of his vehicle, officers found marijuana and paraphernalia in a duffel bag.

Standfer was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a BAC between .08 and .14, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Starke County Democrats Sworn into Office

Eight Starke County Democrats who were successful in the fall election were sworn into office on Sunday. Swearing in the office holders was 17th District State Democrat Representative Nancy Dembowski.

Sworn in were: Knox Mayor Rick Chambers, Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, incumbent Knox City Councilmen Linda Berndt, Greg Matt, and Jeff Berg, plus newly elected councilman Donald Kring.

Continue reading

Medaryville Man Arrested after Pursuit

Billy Anthony, Jr.

A Medaryville man was arrested after leading police on a pursuit in the Medaryville area on Thursday.

Billy Anthony, Jr., 26, was traveling on Maple Avenue and police saw him cross the center line a few times while traveling. The officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department followed him and then stopped at a stop sign and observed the vehicle. The vehicle turned onto an intersected roadway and allegedly evaded police. The Medaryville police officer on duty and the deputy chased Anthony along 175 North.

Continue reading

Be Cautious When Buying Pets as Christmas Gifts

Considering a pet for Christmas? Suzanne Crider from the Starke County Humane Society says it may be a good idea in some instances.

“It depends on what the family is prepared for,” said Crider. “We are always looking for homes for pets, but we do encourage you not to surprise someone in your family with one that they’re not expecting. It’s often a better idea to take them pet shopping and let them pick out the pet that they’re hopefully going to spend the next 10 or 12 years with.”

Crider has another suggestion for parents.

“We encourage parents to not wait until Christmas morning if you are getting a new family pet. Get them in the home before Christmas. It makes life much easier for Mom and much less hectic for everybody and it gives the animal time to settle in.”

Here’s a gift idea from Suzanne for that pet lover on your list.

“A great gift for animal lovers is always money put down at their vet. If you know of somebody who may be having a hard time and keeping up with vet care that their animal needs, ask what vet they go to and the vets will let you put money on their account. When that animal needs something, the owner can take them in and use that credit and that is a wonderful, wonderful gift to do for people.”

Winamac Man Flees from Police on Moped

James Larvick

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Winamac man, Friday, after he eluded police on a moped.

An officer saw that James Larvick was swerving back and forth in his lane and after he did not come to a complete stop at a stop sign, the officer began following him. Larvick was followed on Riverside Drive and the officer turned on his lights and siren to alert Larvick to pull over to the side of the road. Larvick motioned at the officer and kept driving. As they passed the Management Building of the Indian Head Motel, the driver pulled into the driveway.

Continue reading

Outdoor Christmas Decoration Winners Announced

The City of Knox outdoor Christmas decoration contest winners have been released from the Mayor’s Office. First place went to Rachel Fletcher at 567 S. 500 E.; second place went to Melinda Majchrzak at 1269 S. 500 E.; and third place went to Dave Heineman at 253 E. Lake Street.

Honorable mention winners include:
Gene Wheeler – 423 S. Carlson Drive
Connie Byer- 607 Bower Street
Donna Moroni – 707 Portland Street
Ken and Sandy Wagner – 101 Potter
Toni Baldwin-Dufour – 1309 Evelyn
Greg and LuAnn Matt – 104 W. New York Street

Plymouth Man Pleads Not Guilty to Eight Charges in Starke Circuit Court

Dale Hite

A Plymouth resident plead not guilty to eight charges in an incident that occurred in Starke County on October 16th, 2009.

Dale Hite appeared for his initial hearing in Starke Circuit Court Monday morning where he plead not guilty to two counts of Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Death, two counts of Reckless Homicide, and one count each of Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign and Failure to use Headlights from Sunset to Sunrise. His bond was set at $100,000 surety.

Continue reading

Pulaski County Recycling Center Continues Requests for Part-Time Help

Pulaski County Commissioners Tracey Shorter, Kenneth Boswell, Michael Tiede

With their return of $309,000 to the county, the Pulaski County Recycling Center is continuing with their request for part-time help from the county commissioners. Ed Clark of the recycling center approached the county commissioners this week to request their approval to hire a new part-time employee for the center.

Continue reading

Starke County Election Board, Clerk Win Awards

Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski with Bradley King and Trent Deckard, Co-Directors of the Indiana Election Division Staff

Members of the Starke County Election Board, Starke County Clerk Evelyn Skronski and Voter Registration Deputy, Randi Beem, recently attended the 2012 Election Conference in Indianapolis.

Five awards were given at the conference and two of those awarded were given to Starke County. Pat Mitchell and Jim Henriott received the “County Election Board Members of the Year” Award. This award is given to county Election Board members whose service embodies bipartisan cooperation in the administration and election process, and whose achievement is to represent one political party while serving all county voters.

Continue reading